Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #325 in Books
• Published on: 2006-01-26
• Binding: Paperback
• 208 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
One of the most widely read novels from Nigeria's most famous novelist, Things Fall Apart is a gripping study of the problem of European colonialism in Africa. The story relates the cultural collision that occurs when Christian English missionaries arrive among the Ibos of Nigeria, bringing along their European ways of life and religion. In the novel, the Nigerian Okonkwo recognizes the cultural imperialism of the white men and tries to show his own people how their own society will fall apart if they exchange their own cultural core for that of the English.

Synopsis
Okonowo is the greatest warrior alive. His fame has spread like a bushfire in West Africa and he is one of the most powerful men of his clan. But he also has a fiery temper. Determined not to be like his father, he refuses to show weakness to anyone - even if the only way he can master his feelings is with his fists. When outsiders threaten the traditions of his clan, Okonowo takes violent action. Will the great man's dangerous pride eventually destroy him?

Customer Reviews

Wonderful prose and an eye opener
This seminal work of modern African literature tells the story of tribal civilisation in Nigeria just at the point where the British first arrive. The central character Okonkwo is a proud and feared tribal warrior. The wrestling exploits of his youth are legend and established him as an alpha male in the region. He is also a breed apart from his fellow villagers. He is ruthless, hugely ambitious, hard working and acquisitive. Okonkwo's steady path to advancement in the village is cut short however when he is implicated in the death of a villager and sent in to exile for seven years. This is the falling apart of Okonkwo's world and he finds it very difficult to adapt to his new circumstances. But more than this, the civilisation that Okonkwo inhabits is about to fall apart, as it meets the first wave of British imperialism. The new colonial master is depicted dispassionately by Achebe, almost as if he is merely reporting on events - there is no overt judgement of the British. (When you consider Achebe's journalistic training and background this is less surprising). Indeed, though they are alien to each other, Okonkwo understands only too well that the brutal logic of the encroaching imperialist power dictates that might must prevail. As a bully and a strongman, it is the code that he has understood and followed all his life. We also see that many of the changes that the British bring are more readily welcomed than you would expect - religion and western education for example - and that people are lured to what is new and different. This novel depicts a complex tribal society - far more complex than the imperialist power would have understood or given it credit for. It is also a novel about change and adapting to it and the insignificance of the little man in the face of this change.

A most enchanting book
The story in this book takes place in the countryside of Nigeria during the reign of Queen Victoria. The central character - Okonkwo, is a man who despises his father and aspires to be the total opposite. He is ambitious and wishes to live in such a way that will lead to status and respect. In particular he wishes to be awarded a number of titles which could ultimately see him as the chief of the tribe. He shows very little outward love towards his family, especially towards his children, because he wants to make sure that none of become a wastrel like his father. Also he wants to appear to be tough so that his ambitions can be achieved.

As the story unfolds Okonkwo makes a number of mistakes - probably the most serious one where he accidently kills another and has to go into exile in a neighbouring village for 7 years. While he is away things go very badly for his home village. A white commuinity and their church start taking control of the region - very difficult to stop, because some of the villagers are members of the church.

When Okonkwo returns, and later attends a meeting to stop the power of the white colonizers, things continue to fall apart for both Okonkwo and the village as a whole. The ending is a surprise and is in a way depressing. Okonkwo acts rashly again decapitating one of the messengers sent by the while colonisers. He then disappears and is later found hanged - apparently suicide.

This is a wonderful book to read, not just because of the central theme, but also because of the details of African society, that people like myself are totally ignorant of. There are many different things that you can learn by reading this story.

Highly recommended

A disappointing read!
Achebe's feeble and disengaging characterisation is surpassed only by patronising simplicity. In attempting to depict the primal authenticity of pre-colonial African culture he has created a book that not only fails to do full justice to the tribe's struggle against Western imperialism but wholly relies on plot driven devices leaving in its wake a shallow and superficial tribute to one of history's most tragic struggles.